Nissan Altima vs. Scion tC
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan Altima and Scion tC contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Nissan Altima and the Scion tC.
When comparing the Nissan Altima's and the Scion tC's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Altima has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and interior volume. The Scion tC has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Nissan Altima and Scion tC have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Altima's and the Scion tC's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Altima is a better car than the Scion tC.
Pricing: A used 2013 Nissan Altima ranges from $5,499 to $14,996 while a used 2013 Scion tC is priced between $5,912 to $14,498.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan Altima’s base engine makes 175 horsepower, and the Scion tC base engine makes 180 horsepower. Both the Altima and the tC are rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 640 and 450 miles respectively. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Nissan Altima has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room and rear shoulder room. The Scion tC has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$25,230
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$18,725
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$9,594
Price Range:
$5,499 - $14,996
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
523
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
127,973
# Good or Great Deals:
131
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$10,029
Price Range:
$5,912 - $14,498
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
39
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
115,886
# Good or Great Deals:
13
Nissan Altima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Scion tC Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Altima
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Scion tC
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
9.7
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.8
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Nissan Altima Rankings
Not yet available
Scion tC Rankings
Available Body Styles
Coupe, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Nissan Altima Trim Levels
2.5 S, 2.5, 2.5 SL, 2.5 SV, 3.5 S, 3.5 SL, 3.5 SV
Scion tC Trim Levels
Base, Release Series 8.0
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
2 years / 25000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
175 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
180 foot-lbs @ 3900 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.056 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
180 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
173 foot-lbs @ 4100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 32 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
460 / 640 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 31 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
334 / 450 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.4 inches
Cargo Space:
8.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
89.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
88.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3124 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
55.9 inches
Length:
180.9 inches
Wheelbase:
105.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3070 lbs
Width:
70.7 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
174 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P215/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Navy Blue
Gray
Metallic Slate
Red
Cayenne Red / Crimson Black
Silver
Brilliant Silver
White
Pearl White
Exterior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Nautical Blue Metallic
Gray
Cement / Magnetic Gray Metallic
Red
Sizzling Crimson Mica
Silver
Classic Silver Metallic
White
Super White
Interior Colors
Brown
Blond
Gray
Charcoal
Red
Red
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Black
Dark Charcoal
